Cotton picker



Feb. Z4, 1931. J. M. Hoon 1,794,293

COTTON PICKER Filed March 16, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l O l '2 \`N :E VQ 0"eM- xd W N @s n Y INVENTOR. l

Jamesood,

mgl.

J. M. HOOD COTTON PICKER Feb. 24, 1931.

Filed Maych 16, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. Z4, 1931. J. M. HOQD co'rToNPICKER Filed March 16. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet '5 m1@ m .m

ATTORNEY.

Feb. 24, 1931. J. M. Hoon co'r'nou PICKER Filed laren 16. 1928 4`Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. s MHG o ab,

ATTORNEY.

f lllll Il n N Patented Feb. 24, 1931 'oor'roN PICKERA Application ledIvfrclil, 1923 VSerial. No. 262,317.

This. invention relates `to'cotton pickers,- andhae for its objectto'provide; a'nianner as hereinafter-set forth a lnachine'oiV the-classreerred'tofso constructed and arranged-'ae to sti-addlearowof vCottonplantsand whereby onlthe travel ofthe machine it will act qupon bothsides orn` fthe- 'plante to 'thoroughly pick tlie`cotton therefrom andthe-n coliect fand store -the picked cotton;

A further object' of the invention-is to-pro ride, ina manner-aehereinafter setfforth, a cottonpicler including means forv picking andstoringfthe picked 'cotton and further in= duiding-means rfordischargingthe)stored cottonin bull: from themachine.whenfdeeired`Further objects 'of the invention are tok pro-- ride, lin a manner asyhereinater `setfforth,A a cotton picker which is comparatively simpleinf its constructionV and'l arrangement, strong,` durable, compact,thoroughly `eiicient in its use, readily assembled, expeditious' initieaction,l conveniently controlled, and 'compara-- ti-Vely'inexpensive toset up.-

YViththe foregoing and otherobjects in *iew they invention consists ofthe novel 'construction, combination andH arrangement of parts ashereinafter more speci'callyl de? scribed, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein; is shown-an embodi-A ment o1c theinvention,but it is'to-be under` stoodl that changes, variations andmodifica-1 tions can 'he resorted' to whichl falli-within the scope ofthel claims hereunto appended.

nthe drawings'whereinlike referencecharacters denote corresponding'parts' .throughout the several views: 4 Y y Figure 1 is a top'- planView of a 'cotton picker in aecordancewith this invention..

Figure Qfis' a rear elevatonpa-rtlybroken away.

Figure thereof.

Figure is a fragmentary View in sectional-- plan taken on line i`4FigureFigure 5 is a fragmentary ViewV in long;` tudinal; section.

Figure 6 is asectionon line 46-6I Figur Figure17is 'a section online 7 7Figure in Figure-.S is a Ifragmentary viewfpartly inA e is': alongitudinal Isectional .View

sectionland part-lyinplan illustrating a'picillf er drum and a pickermember; i 1

Figure 9 is a section-'on line 9--9 Figure 10 is a sectional detail-lFigure 11 is a fragmentary writ-infin"'eleyaL tion and broken away ofthe 1drinn;

Figure 12 isy a sectional elevation, broken away, of a carrier for a setoipici'ier members; A. cotton picker machine fin: accordance with thisinvention' compri-ses a platform or top, plate referred to generally atA1l and formed' of a narrow portion-9 and Aaw-ide portionY 3 and vwiththe latterarranged'ffor-i wardly'of theforrner: The portion-*3 pro'-jects laterally with respect to each eide-oi the portion 2andhasitsisifde edges-4 extend# ing from therear en'dsthereofat--aniinclinai tion tothe orwa'rd'edgel of sai'di portie/i132: Extending.vforwa'rdly from the Allportion,` 3, centrally thereof, is `a taperedextension 26. The widthof the portion is'materially'ilese than thelength ofY the'portionrQrv Suspended from theplatiorm I1 and arrangedin` opposed spaced relation-is` a=.pair of frames7 of like construction.Eachfraine extends from the rear end to the forward end of the plate 1.The arrangement oieacl'i-v frame 7 with respect to Ythe plate 1 is as`shown .in Figure Secured to the lower end of veach frame 7 is a bottomplate 8J* Secured tofthe front'of each frame 7 is a front plate 9.Ech'frame 7 is open attlieiorwar'd portionfof the outer side K' thereofand in vthis 'connection see' Ei-fgJ urefe.` Secured: fto the."outer:vside.- of eachf frame 7 adjacent the open lportion of 'said side isanangle shapedisi-de plate 10.y Secured tothe outer side: of each.y -ra1ne7,. adjacent theplate Y10-is a side plate 11.V Securedto thelrearendofeach frame 7 is a rearplate 12; Secured to the forward portionof the inner side of each frame 7'isY a Side plate 13'. Se cured to therear portion ofthe inner sideA of each frame 7 and extending to theplate12 is aside plate 14 provided with a series of superpose'd guide slotsU15. See F igures Sand L The `plates.-9, 10,11, 12,'13 vand "14 extendfrom the plate Sto theplate.' VEach frame 7nproximity to its'lre'ar endkat tits' lower end is formed with a transversely extending support 16for a purpose to be presently' referred to. See Figure 4. The setting upof the pair of frames 7, in connection with the plates 8 to 14 which aresecured to each frame, and further in connection with the top plate 1,provides a pair of compartments positioned below and at each side of theplate 1. Each compartment is indicated at 16, see Figure 4. The innerside of each compartment is formed by the plates Y13, 14. The inner sideof one compartment is spaced a substantial distance from the inner sideof the other` compartment. See Figure 2. l Secured to each plate 14, inproximity to its forward end, is a vertically disposed partition member17 which constitutes a support. See Figure 4. The partition member 17extends from the plate 8 to the plate 1. See Figure 5. The width of thepartitionmember 17 is less than the width of the compartment 16.

Secured to each partition member 17, abutting against and secured to theinner face of eachplate 13 and extending to the forward end of eachframe 7`at the outer si de thereof is a curved partition member 18 whichin connection with a portion of a plate 11, a plate 10 and the plates 1and 8 provides a combined collecting and storage chamber 21 for thepicked cotton. The chamber 21 normally opens at its rear int-o a chamber22 formed rearwardly of the partition member 17 and provided by thelatter, a plate 14, aplate 12, a plate 11, the rear portion of the plate8 and the top plate 1. The compartment 21 opens at its forward endthrough the open portion at the forward end of the outer side of a frame7 and the outlet for said chamber 21 is indicated at 23, which isnormallyl closed by a hinged door 24. Positioned withineach chamber 21is a hinged ejector' 25 for the collected cotton. The arrangement of thedoor 24 and ejector 25 will be hereinafter referred to, well as theoperating means lfor said door-,24V

and ejector 25.

Positioned within each chamber 22 is a vertically disposed rotatabledrum 26 having a closed, concave head 27 and further having itsperiphery formed with vertically disposed dove-tailed grooves 28 of alength to extend from the upper to the lower end of the drum. rlhegrooves 28 are equally spaced from each other.l The bottom of theconcavity formed in the head 27, axially thereof, is provided with avertical disposed socketed protuberance 29 to which is ixedly secured ahorizontally disposed beveled pinion 30. The lower end of the drum 26,axially thereof, carries a shaft 31 which is journaled inthe support16at a point between the transverse median of the latter and its innerend. The drum 26 extends in close proximity, but is nected to a'seriesof superposed track members 34 corresponding in number to the numberofgrooves 33. The track members 34 are interposed between the drum 26and the slotted portion of the plate 14. See Figure 4. The curvature ofthe stripper plate 32 is such as to provide for said plate from its rearVend to gradually project from the drum 26, or

whereby the space between the stripper plate 32 and drum 26 graduallyincreases from the rear end of said plate in a direction toward thepartition member 18. See Figure 4. By this arrangement the stripperplate 32 is eccentrically disposed with respect to the drum 26. Theplate 32 is provided with flanges as at 32 for forcing` the cotton fromoff the picker members to be presently referred to. Arranged between theplates 1 and 8 at the rear of the chamber 22, as well as being securedto the frame andto said plates 1 and 8, is a vertically disposed support35 to which isattached a series of superposed, spaced, forwardlyextending supports 36 which are secured to the rear portion of thestripper plate 32 between the slots 33.. See Figure 5. The supports 36form a series of superposed guide passages 37 for a purpose to bepresently referred to. The supports 36 extend to the plate 14 and abutthe same between the slots 15 thereof. Y

Secured in each groove 28 of each of the drums 26 is a verticallydisposed, beveled, fiat bar 38 provided with a series of openings 39 forthe passage'of holdfast devices 4() to fixedlysecure the carrier inposition. The thickness of theV carrier is greater than the depth of thegroove 28 whereby the carrier will pro-V ject from .theperiphery ofthedrum. See Figure 8. Projectingoutwardly from each carrier38, is a seriesof superposed, spaced yokes 41 each formedv at its front with an opening42. See Figure 8.

Supported by each yoke 41 is a rotatable picker member consisting of aspindle formed of a tapered outer portion 43 and a reduced inner portion44 Which'extends through the opening 42 and has connected therewith aroller 45 which is arranged within the yoke 41. The tapered outerportion 43 is formed with a pair of diametrically disposed lengthwiseextending grooves 46. See Figure 9.

Anchored in the portion 43 of the spindle is two sets of picker fingers.One set is indicated at 47 and the other set at 48. rI "he sets areoppositely disposed. The picker fingers are positioned in and projectfrom the grooves 46; The bases. of the pickerfingersspindle isloosely-mounted in a carrier as ine` dicated' at r49.' See Figure 'ilEach roller 45 is of metal andV pro-videdfwith arno-ber tread' 50.Seelligure 7.

Themachineincludes a knairot' su .ortinv'y wheels` 51'.. 52, eachcarried by'an independent axle 53. The wheels l., 52 4are Xed tothearxlf'es so that. these latter will rotate with the wheels. Each axleextendsmto a cham-v ber 1.22.. Associated with each axle v53 vis aninverted yyoke-shaped hanger `54 which eX-, tends through Aanopening inthe plate 1 and hasiits lower part arranged in the uppery portion. ofthechamber 22. A bearing element 56'is provided for the axles 53 and-whichis larra'ngxe'd in the upper portion of the chamber 22; The axle 53extends threugh'thefside platell ano is formed with stop collars 57.Theaxler 1s journaled in the lower part' of the hanger154andl carries abeveled gear 58 lwhich-meshes with the pinion 30 whereby projecting enda cog pinion 61.' See Figures- 4 and .1.V The ejector 25 is fixed to aspring controlled shaft 62,`see Figures l and 4. The shaft' 62 supportedAby the bottom plateS and extends up through the-portion 3 of the topplate l and is arrangedin alignment with the shaft 60. That part of theshaft 62 which projects above the plate l is provided with a groovedpulley 63 in a cog pinionv64. Winding' on the pulley 3 is a flexiblepull member 65, which.travels-against a guide pulley 65 and is connectedtoalever member 67 carryiirg a dog 68, which associates with-a rack 69for retaining the lever 67 in usted position. Traveling around thepinions 6]; and 64y is achain 69', the function ofwhich is to shift thedoor 24 on the operation of the shaft 62;

ltwill be assumed that the door 24-andf ejector are in the position asshownin Figf ure 4. Now-if it be cesircdto open the cham-- b'er2l andeject the collecl ed cottontherefrom.;

the liever member 67 is actuated in a direction to pullV the member 65rearwardly; which in f-' turn will shift the shaft 62 in a directiontoKswing the ejector member 25 in the direction through the outlet 23. A sthe ejector member 25 is :move-d in th'edirection ofthe-arrow25,Figurel, the shaft willbe operated whereby the door 124 will be swunginthe direction of the arrow 25, Figure 4, to open the outlet 23 undersuch conditions the ejector member 25A sweeping against fthe collected.cottony inv the chamber 2l willi force the cotton in bulk from thechamber 2l.. Nhen the lever '6? is released the controlling. spring 70for' the shaft 62 will operate it in the opposite direc# tion-and causethe door 24 and ejector memberV to assume a'positionasshow-n inFigurel4.

Connected to eachside plate i3, at the fora: ward yend thereof, anddisposed at an outward inclination with respectk thereto, is a deflectormemberl for tippingthe plant inwardly so that the plant will ride4against the plate 13. See Figure 4. As the maL chine travels forwardly,the drums 2G will operate in an opposite direction with` respect to eachother whereby the picker members will be moved to operate on eachside ofthe plant to pick the cotton therefrom. {See Figure 4. As the drums 26revolve the rollers or .wheels 45 will travel on the trackmembers 34 andthe spindles of picked cotton will pass betwe'enithefslots.33 of thestripper plate and as! the curvature thereof gradually projects from thedrums 26', the stripper plate will' aetupon the spindles toremove thepicked cotton therefrom and inthis connection. See Figure 4. Thespindles, or that portion provided with? the picked cotton will passthrough the passages 37 and saidv passages are of greater height thanthey width vof the slots 33.

Secured to the rear of the portion 2 of the top plate l, and projectingrearwardly therefrom is a seat p0st72 carrying a seat 73 for the driver.Secured to the plate 1 and eX- tensiop 6 is a tongue 7 4 to which thehorses can be attached.

The arrangement of the stripper plate with respect to the drums andpicker members will provide for thepicked cotton being graduallyremovedfroml the picker members dur-v ing the revolving of the drums wherebythe removal of the picked cotton will be had from a picker member whenthe latter passes through the inner end of a slot 33. Under suchconditions the removed cotton will drop onthe curvedpartition member 18.See F igure 4. The manner in'which'the picker members operate withrespect to the plant is as shown in Figure A4. I

Itfis thought the many advantages of a cotton picker, in accordance withthis invention; can'be readilyunderstood, and although the preferredembodiment `of the invention is as illustrated and describeth yet itisto be understood'that changesA in the details of Y construction can behad which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

lNhat l claim is:

1. In` awcotton picker, a compartment, a' l collecting chamber forwardlyof and opening at its rear into said compartment, a vertically disposedrotatable rdrum arranged eccentrically of and within `said compartment,the inner side wall ofthe latter havi-ng-,superposed guide slots forpicker members, a plurality of spaced vertically disposed carrierssecured to the outer periphery f the drum, a set of sup'erposed spacedpiclrer members rotatably supported from each carrier and travelingthrough said slots, said sets of picker members being radiallydisposed-with respect to said drum, and a slotted stripper plate forremoving the cotton from said picker members and discharging it intosaid collecting chamber, said stripper plate having its rear endpositioned in proximity tosaid inner side wall, opposing in spacedrelation and increasing in spaced relation from its rear to its frontwith respect to said drum and having its forward part terminating at theopening at the rear of said chamber.

- 2.l In a cotton picker, a compartment, a collecting chamber forwardlyof and opening atits rear into said compartment, a vertically disposedrotatable drum arranged eccentrically of and within said compartment,the inner .sidewall of the latter having superposed guide slots forpicker members, a plurality of spaced vertically disposed carrierssecured to the outer periphery of the drum, a set of superposed spacedpicker members rotatably supported from each carrier and travelingthrough said slots, said sets of picker members being radially disposedwith respect to said drum, a slotted stripper plate for removing thecotton from said picker members and discharging it into said collecting`chamber, said stripper plate having its rear end positioned in proximityto said inner side wall, opposing in spaced relation and increasing inspaced relation .from its rear to its front with respect to said drumand having its forward part terminating at the opening at therear ofsaid chamber, each of said members being neripherally grooved, having aroller at its inner end and picker fingers projecting from the groovesthereof, and track members spaced from said drum and engaged by saidrollers for rotating the picker members.

3. n a cotton picker, a compartment, a collecting chamber forwardly ofand opening at its rear into said compartment, a vertically disposedrotatable drum arranged eccentrically of and within said compartment,the inner side wall ofthe latter having super! posed guide slots forpick-er members, a plurality of spaced vertically disposed carrierssecured to the outer periphery of the drum, a set of superposed spacedpicker mehr bers rotatably supported from each carrier and travelingthrough said slots, said sets of picker members being radially disposedwith respect to said drum, a slotted stripper plate for removing thecottonrfrom said picker members and discharging it into said collectingchamber, said stripper plate having its rear end positioned in proximityto said inner side wall, opposing in spaced relation and increasing inspaced relation from its rear to its front with respect to said drum andhaving its forward part terminating at the opening at the rear of saidchamber, and each of said members being peripherally grooved, having aroller at its inner end and picker lingers projecting from the groovesthereof. Y i l Ll; In a cotton picker, a rotatable, vertically disposeddrum, a plurality of spaced vertical carriers secured to the peripherythereof, a set of superposed, radially disposed picker members rotatablysupported from each carrier, a collecting chamber yarranged forwardly ofsaid picker members having an entrance at its rear, stripping means ofvolute curvature enclosing said drum, terminating at one end at saidentrance for removing the cotton from said picker members anddischarging it into said collecting chamber, track members spaced fromsaid drum and engaged by the rollers for rotating said picker members.

5L ,A cotton picker comprising a mobile body having a pair of. opposed,spaced compartments each provided with communicate ing front and rearchambers, pair o-f opposed, picker mechanisms rotating inoppositedirections and each arranged in a rear chamber and projectingfrom the inner side of a compartment, and a slotted stripper platearranged in each rear chamber and extending to the rear of a frontchamber, each stripper plate opposing in spaced relation and increasingin spaced relation from its rear to its front with respect to a pickermechanism for stripping the cotton therefrom and discharging it into afront chamber. i

G. A cotton piclrer comprising a mobile body having a pair of opposed,spaced compartments each provided with communicating front and rearchambers, a pair of opposed, picker mechanismsrotating in oppo sitedirections and'each arranged in a rear chamber and projecting from theinner side of a compartment-, a slotted stripper' plate arranged in eachrear chamber and extending to the rear of a front chamber, each stripperplate opposing in spaced relation and increasing in spaced relation fromits rear to its front with respectto a picker mechanism for strippingthe cotton therefrom and discharging it into a front chamber, a pair ofindependent, rotatable Vvrear axles connectedto said body and eachextending into 'a rear chamber, an operative drive connection be tweenthe inner end of an axle and a picker mechanism, and a supporting wheelcon-` nected to eachfaxleadjacent each side of said mobile body'. i

7. A cotton picker comprising a mobile body having a pair of opposed,spaced com partments each provided With communicating front and rearchambers, a pair of opposed, picker mechanisms rotating in oppositedirections and each arranged in a rear chamber and projecting from theinner side of a compartment, stripper means arranged in said rearchambers and coacting with said mechanisms for stripping the cottontherefrom for discharge into said iront chambers, and means in said rearchambers to provide guide passages for the cotton carried by said pickermechanisms.l

8. A cotton picker comprising a mobile body having a pair of opposed,spaced compartments each provided With communicating front and rearchambers, a pair ot opposed, picker mechanisms rotating in oppositedirections and each arranged in a rear chamber and projecting from theinner side of a compartment, stripper means arranged in said rearchambers and co-acting with said mechanisms for stripping the cottontherefrom for discharge into said front chambers and a pair ot'independent, rotatable rear axles connected to said body and eachextending into a rear chamber, operative drive connection between theinner end of an axle and a picker mechanism, a supporting Wheelconnected to each axle adjacent Veach side of said mobile body, andmeans in said rear chambers to provide guide passages for the cottoncarried by said pic rer mechanisms.

9. A cotton picker comprising a mobile body having a pair of opposed,spaced compartments and each having the inner Wall at the rear thereofformed With superposed slots, means Within each of said compartments toprovide communicating front and rear chambers, a pair of opposed pickermechanisms rotating in opposite directions and each arranged in a rearchamber and projecting through said slots during the operation of saidmechanisms, and slotted stripper plates of volute curvature arranged insaid rear chambers and extendino` from a point in proximity to said rearWalls tothe rea-r of said front chambers, said plates opposing in spacedrelation and increasing in spaced relation With respect to saidmechanisms and coacting with these latter for stripping the cottontherefrom, and for discharging the cotton in said front chambers. l0. Acotton picker comprising a mobile body having a pair of opposed, spacedcompartments each having the inner Wall at the rear thereof formed withsuperposed slots, means Within each of said compartments to providecommunicating front and rear chambers, a pair of opposed pickermechanisms rotating in opposite directions and each arranged in a rearchamber and projecting through said slots during the operation of themechanisms,

Vnection, saidtbody stripper means of "volute mirvature arranged einzsaidrear chambersan'd eitending from .a pointzin prox- 'imitynto saidslots tothe -rearf Lof said .front chambersandfurthergraduallyspacedffrom and surrounding., said mechanisms: and*further.; coa-citing ,ivvith these latter lfor a stripping the-foottzonthereiroml 'tor therdischarge of the cotton fin: said irontichanibens,,andv means arranged infeachnor said rearxchambersoto provideguide passages for the cottonwhen carried by said mechanisms.

i111. In a: cotton;picker,l agmobilewbody a pair of v'endwisef opposed,spaced, v rotatable axles-,connected .to said body,1a supporting Wheellined :tothe outer end of eachiaxleeextenierly otfsaid bodyfa pair:O''fspaCedgOpposed, lvertically Vdisposed'"oppositely 'rotate ingvpicker mechanisms carried by saidxbody, an,operative driveconnectionbetweeneeach mechanism: and ythe inner end of: anfaXle, andveach -of said mechanisms having afclosedf concaved head,to;provide aclearance for f, its drive connectie A 12. a cotton picker., a mobilebody, a pair ofL endvvise opposed,A spaced, retatableaxles connected tosaid body, a supporting -wvheel :fixed .to the outerendrof. each :axleenteriorly of'saidjbody, a pa-ir( of spaced,- opposed, l verticallyextending, oppositelyf `rotating.-picker mechanisms carriedby said,body, f an `opera tivedrive Vconnection abetvveen each :mechav lnismiand the inner end .of f an@ axle; :eac-hy of said mechanismshaving. Va closed concaved head "to Aprovide a clearance forfits. driveconprov-Aided*- Wi-th -a paira -of collecting chambers and strippermeansWithin said :body rearwardly ,fofsaid chambers and coasting with .saidpicker mechanisms` for stripping the cotton therefrom :to discharge into.said collecting chambers.

. 13. In acotton picker, Vaf-mobile; -body,-a pair iof. endvviseopposed, spaced, rotatable axles connectedto said body, ai supportingWheel .fixed to the outer end offeach--axle erf teriorlyof said body,A apair Vof spaced,= -np.f posed vertically extending, oppositelyrotatfVing picker-mechanisms carried .by said ibody, an opera i exdriveconnection between each mechaI-i-ism and the innery end of an; axle,-yeach ot said mechanisms havingaclosedconcaved head to provide aclearance for its fdrive connection, isaidbody :provided With` a pair,`oft Y collecting chambers, and stripper means Within saidbody-rearwardly of said chambers and coactmg With said pickermechanisms' Afor stripping vthe cotton therefrom to discharge into saidcollecting chambers.

14. in a cotton picker, a mob-ileV structure provided With apair ofopposed, spaced collecting chambers for picked cotton, eachprovided'vvith a discharge opening in its outer side, an outwardlyopening closure for the opening and an ejector for the collected.cotton, and means common to'eachv ejector and a sse lclosureforsimultaneously operating them to discharge the collected cotton in bulk.

15. In a cotton picker, a collecting chamber for the picked cotton, saidchamber having a discharge opening, an outwardly swinging f closure forsaid opening, an ejector Within said chamber, and means forsimultaneously shifting the ejector and closure in a like-direction todischarge the cotton in bulk from said chamber. l f

416. In a cotton picker, a rotatable, vertically disposed drum, aplurality of spaced, vertical carriers secured to the periphery thereof,'a set of superposed, radially disposed picker members rotatablysupported from each carrier, a collecting chamber arranged forwardly ofsaid picker members and having an entrance at its rear, stripping `meansof volute curvature surrounding said drum and spaced therefromandproviding for removing the cotton froml said picker members' to entersaid collecting chamber at the rear of the latter, track members forsaid picker members interposed between said drum and said strippingmeans, and passages for the picker members and cotton carried therebypositioned on that side'of said stripping means opposite the sideonrWhich is arranged the track members for the picker members. f

17. A cotton picker comprising a mobile body having a pair of opposed,vspaced compartments l provided With communicating front and rearchambers, said front chambers providing collecting chambers for thepicked' cotton, a pair of opposed picker mechanisms rotatingin'o'pposite directions and each arranged in a rear chambern andprojecting from the inner side of a compartment, stripper means ofvolute curvature arranged in said rear chambers, encompassing and spacedfrom said mechanisms and 'coacting with these latter for stripping thecotton therefrom for discharge into said front chambers, means toprovide superposed passages between said stripping meansvand the innerWalls of said compartments for the passage of the Vcottonuponsaid pickermechanisms, and track members positioned between said picker mechanismsandl said stripping means and providing tracks for elements of saidpicker` mechanisms. Y Y

In testimony whereof, I aifiX my signature hereto.

JAMES M. HOOD.

